Children's Guide

Each registered children's home must produce a Children's Guide.

The Children's Guide must be made available to all children and young people when their move to the home is agreed (or on arrival at the home if they have moved in an emergency).

The Children's Guide must be age appropriate and provided in an accessible format. Workers in the home should go through the guide with each child or young person to make sure they understand its purpose and the information it contains.

The Children's Guide should help children and young people to understand the following:

• The day-to-day routines of their new home (‘what happens in the home');
• The information that the staff team will collect and how this information will be used to ensure they are cared for and supported;
• Their right to access the information that is maintained regarding their care and wellbeing, and their progress;
• The care and support they will receive while living in the home;
• The homes' Statement of Purpose, in broad and age-appropriate terms;
• How to make a complaint in line with the home's Representations and Complaints Procedure;
• How to access an Independent Advocate or Independent Visitor;
• How to contact the Office of the Children's Commissioner;
• What activities, trips or hobbies they could be supported to enjoy, and how they can influence these choices and have their voices heard.

The Children's Guide should be reviewed regularly; this review should incorporate feedback from children and young people living in the home who, if they so wish, should be supported by staff to co-produce versions of the Children's Guide.

As part of reviewing and revising where appropriate the Statement of Purpose, the home's registered manager should also review and update the Children's Guide as necessary, and make sure children and young people are given an explanation of any changes.

A separate guide for Parents and Carers should also be available on request.